Baseball drops weekend series to ASU Hornets

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3

Normal- Bulldog Baseball dropped a three game series to in-state rival, the Hornets of Alabama State University.

A&M dropped the first two games of the three-match conference series 12-2, and 10-4 on Saturday afternoon. Match three, produced a similar outcome for the Maroon & White, as they were defeated 9-6 at ASU’s Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.

To start the action, ASU scored three runs in the first inning to set the tone in game one. The Bulldogs fell behind further as the Hornets would add one run in the second and another three in the fourth. A&M’s starting pitcher Josh Freeman would head to the dugout after giving up two additional runs in the fifth.

With the Hornets now leading 9-0 after five, freshman Braden Snyder tried to get the Dogs back in the game. Snyder was unsuccessful however, as ASU scored two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to end the game via the leagues ten-run mercy rule.

The Maroon & White did find the scoreboard in the seventh inning, but it was not enough to extend play. A&M lost the game 12-2.

Brandon Crutcher topped the Bulldogs behind the plate with one hit and two runs batted in.

Game 2- The Bulldogs started well, recording a run in the first inning.

ASU answered with two runs of their own the take the lead in the bottom of the first. After a scoreless second inning, A&M hit the scoreboard again, tying the game at two in the top of the third. Again, the Hornets answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead.

Momentum drastically shifted in the bottom of the fourth after Waldyvan Estrada homered off A&M’s Allen Belue. ASU went on to take a 10-2 lead after a six run fourth inning.

After two scoreless innings, the Bulldogs would add single runs in the seventh and ninth, to bring the final score to 10-4 with A&M on the losing end. Austin Hulsey led the Bulldogs with two hits driving in two runs.

The final game of the series ended as the previous two, with A&M falling, this time by the score of 9-6.

The contest began with two scoreless innings, before either team made their mark on the scoreboard.

ASU posted a four-run third inning to begin a two team, three inning scoring frenzy. After the Hornets took a 4-nil lead, the Bulldogs answered with a six-run rally in the fourth to take earn the advantage. ASU then replied with their second four-run inning of the game in the fifth to regain the top spot at 8-6. ASU would not relinquish this position and went on to a 9-6 victory after adding a final run in the eighth.

Bradley Black recorded three hits, including a double and triple, and drove in two runs in five at bats to guide the Bulldogs at the plate.

The Maroon & White will continue their extended road trip, playing games versus the University of Arkansas and New Mexico State later this week.

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